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A vibrant red drink, Juneteenth Strawberry Soda, served in a glass

Juneteenth Strawberry Soda (Red Drink)

A refreshing and festive strawberry soda perfect for Juneteenth celebrations, bursting with fresh berry flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6 glasses
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Strawberry Syrup
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled and quartered
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
For Assembly
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 4-6 cups sparkling water or club soda, chilled
  • as needed ice
  • fresh strawberry slices or lemon slices, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Fine-mesh sieve
  • Potato masher
  • Large pitcher
  • Glasses

Method
 

Make Strawberry Syrup
  1. Combine strawberries, sugar, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries have softened and released their juices.
  2. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly. Mash the berries with a fork or potato masher to extract more juice and flavor. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, pressing down on the solids to extract all the liquid; discard the solids. Let the strawberry syrup cool completely.
Assemble the Soda
  1. In a large pitcher, combine the cooled strawberry syrup with the fresh lemon juice. Stir well to combine.
  2. To serve, fill individual glasses with ice. Pour about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the strawberry mixture into each glass, then top with sparkling water or club soda. Stir gently.
  3. Garnish with fresh strawberry slices or lemon slices if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

For an extra twist, you can add a sprig of fresh mint or a dash of vanilla extract to the syrup while it's cooking. Adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more or less sugar to the syrup. This syrup can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.